OTHER NEWS

The head of Russian natural-gas company Gazprom says a new pipeline across the Baltic Sea to Germany will boost its share of the European market and decrease the amount of gas it pumps westward via Ukraine.

A MiG-31 jet crashed in Russia’s Siberian region of Buryatia during a training flight on April 26. Russia’s defense ministry says that both pilots were able to eject and were promptly evacuated. (in Russian, Current Time TV)

The new Red Button app, developed by OVD Info and Open Russia, allows persons to press a button on their mobile phone when they are illegally detained to notify human rights defenders of their location. (in Russian, Current Time TV)

EU ambassadors have approved visa liberalization for Ukraine, a key step toward closer ties and visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainians, with a signing ceremony expected to take place in Strasbourg on May 17.

Appearing for questioning in a criminal investigation before Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau, Radical Party leader Oleh Lyashko accused Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko of being behind allegations that he amassed millions of hryvnia in income illegally. (Ukrainian Service)

Speaking to RFE/RL on April 24, an official in charge of state debt management in Kyrgyzstan’s finance ministry said that Russia has indicated that it is prepared to write off $240 million in debt, accumulated over decades, without conditions. (in Russian, Kyrgyz Service)